Tokyo Electric Power Company has begun accepting tenders to pick suppliers of electricity. The utility aims to cover the shortfall created by the suspension of operations at Japan's nuclear plants after the Fukushima accident.

To mark the start of the bidding on Friday, the power company held an explanatory meeting at its headquarters. About 50 companies attended the briefing. They included steel makers and trading houses.

TEPCO set a condition that the bidding price would be under 9.53 yen, or about 10 cents, per kilowatt-hour.This will give coal-fired thermal power plants an advantage because they have lower costs. [link to www3.nhk.or.jp] .